---
title: "bird assets update"
description: "Update asset metadata or folder placement"
canonical: "https://bird.com/docs/cli/reference/assets-update"
---

# `bird assets update`

## Usage

```bash
bird assets update <asset-id> [flags]
```

## Description

Update asset metadata or folder placement

Changes the name, alternative text or folder without changing bytes or the public URL. Omitted fields remain unchanged; null clears alt\_text or moves folder\_id to the library root.

Build the request from flags, a JSON AssetUpdate body via --body-file ("-" reads
stdin), or both — a flag overrides the matching body field. Run --example to
print a ready-to-edit body, or --dry-run to print the resolved request without
sending it.

## Examples

```bash
# print the body shape (no credentials needed)
bird assets update --example

# the body it prints:
```

```json
{
  "alt_text": "Sunset over the ocean",
  "name": "Summer banner"
}
```

## Options

#### Request

| Name                | Description                                                  |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `--body-file`       | Read the JSON request body from this file; "-" reads stdin   |
| `--example`         | Print a complete example request body, then exit             |
| `--dry-run`         | Print the resolved request without sending it, then exit     |
| `--idempotency-key` | Deduplication key; a retry with the same key won't act twice |

#### Options

| Name                | Description                                                                                                                   |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `--name`            | The asset's display name.                                                                                                     |
| `--alt-text`        | Default alternative text describing the image. Send null to clear it.                                                         |
| `--folder-id`       | The folder to file the asset in. Send null to move it to the top level of the library. Moving an asset never changes its URL. |
| `--response-schema` | Print the fields this command returns, then exit                                                                              |

## Related

| Name                                                      | Description                            |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| [`bird assets delete`](/docs/cli/reference/assets-delete) | Remove an asset from the media library |
| [`bird assets get`](/docs/cli/reference/assets-get)       | Get a media-library asset by ID        |
| [`bird assets list`](/docs/cli/reference/assets-list)     | List workspace media-library assets    |
| [`bird assets upload`](/docs/cli/reference/assets-upload) | Create a media-library asset           |

## Related resources

- [Should I use a Bird SDK or call the API directly?](/explained/platform/should-i-use-an-sdk-or-call-the-api-directly) (answer)
- [Build your first integration](/learn/paths/integration) (course)
- [Send your first email](/docs/get-started/send-your-first-email) (docs)

[Get an implementation brief](/learn/workspace?topic=api-basics)